TR Defence Exports & Updates

[IC3M@N FX]

TUSAŞ Signs Strategic MoU with Embraer for E2 Airliners | TURDEF

TUSAŞ and Brazilian Embraer announced the signing of a MoU for strategic cooperation involving the production of the E-Jet E2 airliners during LAAD exhibition.

turdef.com

Is pure speculation but.....

TAI could build its own AWACS Aircraft for its own use and for export, either under license or based on the Embraer E-Jet E2 Type.
It would be cost-effective, efficient and would close an export gap compared to the extremely expensive US models.
At the very least, it would be a logical step.

Turkey has been working for years to strengthen its defense and aerospace industry and reduce its dependence on foreign technology. Developing an indigenous AWACS system would:

1. Ensure technological independence – Turkey is currently reliant on foreign suppliers for airborne early warning systems, such as modified Boeing (Peace Eagle) with ASELSAN, a domestic system would significantly reduce that dependency.
2. Build technical know-how – With TUSAŞ’s existing capabilities in electronics, sensor integration, and airframe modification, combined with a partner like Embraer, an indigenous AEW&C based on the E2 platform would be technically feasible.
3. Create export potential – Many countries are looking for more compact and cost-effective AWACS alternatives. A Turkish-Brazilian platform could fill that niche.
4. Enable NATO integration – Turkey could offer a NATO-compatible system that is interoperable, yet under national control.

The E190-E2 is a very promising platform: enough space for sensor suites, solid range, modern avionics – and with Turkish involvement in the production line, there would already be access to the structure and systems integration.

Or Refueling Aircraft?

Why an aerial refueling aircraft based on the E2 makes sense:

1. Compact solution for mid-sized powers: Not every country needs large tankers like the KC-135 or A330 MRTT. A smaller, more affordable platform could be very attractive for many nations.
2. Technically feasible: The E190-E2 has the range, structural strength, and avionics to be converted into a tanker platform. Modifications such as a hose-and-drogue or boom system are technically achievable.
3. Complement to the Turkish Air Force: Turkey currently operates KC-135Rs – aging aircraft with U.S. dependence. An E2-based aerial refueling solution would be a perfect supplement or eventual replacement under national control.
4. Export potential: Many smaller NATO members or countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia could be interested in a modular platform – for example, as a transporter, tanker, or even ISR aircraft.
5. TUSAŞ's role: With its experience in fuselage manufacturing, aircraft modification, system integration, and flight testing, TUSAŞ would be an ideal industrial partner for such a tanker version.
   A modular E190-E2 (as tanker, AWACS, ISR, or MedEvac) developed under Turkish-Brazilian cooperation could become a "second-line multirole force multiplier" – smaller than the A330 MRTT, but with high autonomy and strong export potential.

If TUSAŞ and Embraer deepen their partnership, an AWACS project could realistically emerge in the mid-term. Perhaps this MoU is even a first step in that direction, even if it's not publicly stated yet.

 

[Kitra]

PDP

Public Disclosure Platform

www.kap.org.tr

"ASELSAN has signed export contracts with a customer in the Pacific region with a total amount of 52.7 Million USD for the direct sales of radar, weapon, air defense and data link systems for naval platforms."

We used to export to Asia-Pacific region countries, who is this Pacific region customer ?

Chile???

 

[Agha Sher]

Defense and Aerospace exports were $884 millions in March. Total for Q1 is $1.7bn.

Is the March figure the highest ever recorded? We will most likely see a +$1bn month in 2025!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908102998909218876

 

[Iskander]

Defense and Aerospace exports were $884 millions in March. Total for Q1 is $1.7bn.

Is the March figure the highest ever recorded? We will most likely see a +$1bn month in 2025!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908102998909218876

Defense and aerospace industry in October 2024 - $820 million in exports.
If I'm not mistaken, that was the largest number.

Savunma ve havacılık sanayisinden ekimde 820 milyon dolarlık ihracat

Cumhurbaşkanlığı Savunma Sanayii Başkanı Görgün, savunma ve havacılık sanayisinin ekim ayında 820 milyon dolarlık ihracat gerçekleştirdiğini belirtti. - Anadolu Ajansı

www.aa.com.tr

Savunma ve havacılık sanayisinden 2024’te ihracat rekoru

Cumhurbaşkanlığı Savunma Sanayii Başkanı Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, 2024 yılında Türkiye’nin savunma ve havacılık sanayii ihracatın rekor kırılarak 7,154 milyar dolara ulaşıldığını açıkladı.

www.donanimhaber.com

here by month 2023 - 2024

 

[mTT]

Turkey Exports First Jet Engine to Brazil!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908176377477521683

Türkiye İlk Jet Motoru İhracatını Brezilya'ya Gerçekleştirdi! | SavunmaSanayiST

Türkiye Brezilya'ya jet motoru ihraç edecek. Kale Jet Motorları, KTJ-3200 Turbojet Füze Motoru ihracatı için Brezilyalı SIATT ile sözleşme imzaladı.

www.savunmasanayist.com

 

[Sanchez]

Turkey Exports First Jet Engine to Brazil!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908176377477521683

Türkiye İlk Jet Motoru İhracatını Brezilya'ya Gerçekleştirdi! | SavunmaSanayiST

Türkiye Brezilya'ya jet motoru ihraç edecek. Kale Jet Motorları, KTJ-3200 Turbojet Füze Motoru ihracatı için Brezilyalı SIATT ile sözleşme imzaladı.

www.savunmasanayist.com

Mansup is basically the Brazilian Exocet. Ironically we have now come full circle in engine development, from using French engines to being ambargoed, to making our own and now selling said engines to others. First version of Mansup had a Brazilian engine. Pretty sure Edge buying half of the company had a helping hand in Kale securing this win.

 

[mTT]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908181784409378848

 

[Philip the Arab]

Mansup is basically the Brazilian Exocet. Ironically we have now come full circle in engine development, from using French engines to being ambargoed, to making our own and now selling said engines to others. First version of Mansup had a Brazilian engine. Pretty sure Edge buying half of the company had a helping hand in Kale securing this win.

Correct, EDGE is funding the majority of MANSUP-ER development and also intends to make it into other versions such as air and sub launched.

One huge benefit of it is that it can be used interchangeably with Exocet launchers and electronics for existing users of the Exocet.

Very good news for everyone involved.

EDGE intends to develop its own turbofan and turbojet production so I hope there is more cooperation there with Turkish companies!

It’s coughing baby vs hydrogen bomb compared to Turkish industries but it’s a start nonetheless

https://powertech-engines.com/

 

[mTT]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908181784409378848

 

[TheInsider]

I believe monthly defense exports will pass the 1 billion mark this year. Total yearly exports will probably reach 8+ billion.

 

[Sanchez]

Chile???

That would be South America, not Pacific. Pacific naming is indeed interesting.

Tulpar with its HITFACT MkII 120 mm turret by Leonardo is a tailored solution to meet the upcoming modernization to replace Brazil’s Leopard 1 and M113 inventory.

CV90120 is now also being sent to Brazil for testing. There's the first rival. Otokar securing this would be a major victory.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908531853075611934

 

[Philip the Arab]

Turkey Exports First Jet Engine to Brazil!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908176377477521683

Türkiye İlk Jet Motoru İhracatını Brezilya'ya Gerçekleştirdi! | SavunmaSanayiST

Türkiye Brezilya'ya jet motoru ihraç edecek. Kale Jet Motorları, KTJ-3200 Turbojet Füze Motoru ihracatı için Brezilyalı SIATT ile sözleşme imzaladı.

www.savunmasanayist.com

Oh, I forgot to add as far as putting a number to it expect a fairly large number of engines needed. Angola, UAE, and Brazil should all operate the MANSUP-ER and there will be other variants including an ARM under development.

1-2 hundred minimum imho!

 

[zio]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1908181784409378848

What we had an experience from french engine is software limited working for a period of time,ktj 3200 is not.

 

[hugh]

What we had an experience from french engine is software limited working for a period of time,ktj 3200 is not.

We are a signatory of MTCR. So we will probably, have to limit the range of the engine.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Rare Earths to Become New Pillar in US–Turkiye Relations | TURDEF

Turkiye becomes a major NATO ally with increasing rare earth elements (REEs) potential as the US searches for substitutes for Chinese mineral supply chains.

turdef.com

A deal to supply rare earth elements to US should accompany many conditions that favour Türkiye. I hope that the government don’t down-sale the importance of these strategic materials.

This could become a very good opportunity for us to establish some ground rules with US. Abolishing CAATSA, more leeway for us in Syria etc.

 

[boredaf]

Rare Earths to Become New Pillar in US–Turkiye Relations | TURDEF

Turkiye becomes a major NATO ally with increasing rare earth elements (REEs) potential as the US searches for substitutes for Chinese mineral supply chains.

turdef.com

A deal to supply rare earth elements to US should accompany many conditions that favour Türkiye. I hope that the government don’t down-sale the importance of these strategic materials.

This could become a very good opportunity for us to establish some ground rules with US. Abolishing CAATSA, more leeway for us in Syria etc.

This is something US needs desperately now, they closed their biggest rare earth mine in California years ago because they were able to get it so cheaply from China. If the government bends over for US after China halted the export of rare earths to them, then they are traitors to this country.

 

[Iskander]

It is known that Azerbaijan has been unable to purchase the Turkish SOM cruise missile for a long time due to its French engine. The Azerbaijani publication "Haqqin Az" writes that after this obstacle was removed with the development of the KTJ-3200, Azerbaijan ordered more than 400 (!) of these missiles from Roketsan.

The SOM model was first demonstrated at a military parade in Baku in 2018

Анкара и Баку преодолели «французский барьер»: азербайджанский штурмовик «Лачин» с крылатой ракетой SOM!

haqqin.az

 

[TR_123456]

It is known that Azerbaijan has been unable to purchase the Turkish SOM cruise missile for a long time due to its French engine. The Azerbaijani publication "Haqqin Az" writes that after this obstacle was removed with the development of the KTJ-3200, Azerbaijan ordered more than 400 (!) of these missiles from Roketsan.

View attachment 74407
The SOM model was first demonstrated at a military parade in Baku in 2018

Анкара и Баку преодолели «французский барьер»: азербайджанский штурмовик «Лачин» с крылатой ракетой SOM!

haqqin.az

View attachment 74408

Can they be used on the JF-17's also?

 

[Saithan]

Isn't that partly Why we've conducted test on swapping out the sensors and such on a JF17 ? So it can use Turkish armaments kits and such?

 

[Iskander]

Can they be used on the JF-17's also?

The same article states that:
"It is stated that the launch was carried out using the UBAS (Universal Independent Launch System) system developed by the Turkish defense industry. The peculiarity of this system is that it allows the integration of Turkish weapons, including SOM cruise missiles, on any air platform without interfering with their on-board electronics. Under normal conditions, the integration of such weapons, for example, on the F-16 or the Soviet Su-25, requires access to the on-board computer and the installation of special software. UBAS eliminates this need, ensuring the launch of weapons regardless of the platform."

(Our colleague from Canada wrote about this here earlier)


The number that surprised me the most was "more than 400"
That's a lot.
And it's true that I would like to have 4000